A draft framework for the Water Programme has been developed by IUCN Pakistan in cooperation with an international water management consultant. The framework consists of an overall theme and six projects that address some of the issues enclosed in this theme. The framework is a very concise document which will be elaborated by IUCN Pakistan once consulted with main partners and external stakeholders. In this regard a consultative workshop was held in Karachi which was attended by the representatives of government, academia and civil society organizations.

On this occasion, Dr. Abdul Majeed, Head Water Programme IUCNP explained the objectives of the consultation workshop and said that collected and integrated efforts were required for water management in the country.

Elejan Saaf, an IUCN expert on water, moderated the discussion and elaborated on various components of the water programme. He informed that the theme of programme is to develop upland-lowland water linkages. This is in response to the ever increasing realization of the importance of the water as a pivotal theme in eco –system and livelihoods approached.

Earlier, Nasir Ali Panhwar of IUCN Sindh Programme welcomed the participants and said IUCN involves diverse stakeholders in development of strategies, plans and programme as it believes in consultation. This workshop is also part of IUCN’s tradition to solicit input from the range of stakeholders to finalize water programme of IUCN Pakistan.

Shamsul Haq Memon from Sindh Coastal Development Authority, Khawaja Saleem Mustafa from Planning Department, Balochistan, Mohammad Azam Kasi, Chief W&P P&DD Balochistan, Jalal ud din, Director PCRWR, Fateh Marri from Action Aid, Dur Mohammad Abbasi, Deputy Director Water Management, Government of Sindh, Dr. Asadullah Kazi, Vice Chancellor Isra University, Dr. Bakhshal Lashari from Mehran University of Engineering & Technology, Dr. Hina Baig from National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dr. Nisar Ahmed Memon from Sindh Agriculture University, Dr. Muhammad Abdullah, Director, PCRWR Drainage Research Centre Tandojam, Noor Mohammad Arain from PCRWR, Sikander Brohi, Director Participatory Development Initiative (PDI), Zubaida Birwani and Meher Markar Noshirwani from Shirkat Gah-Women's Resource Centre, Engineer M. H. Panhwar, Rahat Jabeen from WWF-P and Muhammad Salman Ali, Coordinator, Water Program, IUCN Quetta participated in the workshop.